ADRC Of Northwoods Took 10 Thousand Calls Last Year

The Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Northwoods is growing quickly as more older adults and those with disabilities turn to the agency with questions. The state ADRC concept arose as a type of one-stop shopping for people needing help. The agency works under a contract with the state and helps people with questions find resources.

At the Oneida County Board meeting last week, the Regional Manager for the ADRC of the Northwoods...Pam Parkkila...said the goal is to get people connected to resources before an expensive crisis occurs. While the office is in Rhinelander, this ADRC covers Crandon, Eagle River, Lac du Flambeau, Medford, Mole Lake, and Rhinelander.

She says in last year they were busy...

"....in 2013, we recorded a total of 10, 596 calls. Primary areas of need include financial assistance, in-home services, caregiving, abuse and neglect and adaptive equipment...."

Parkkila says until now the word about the agency was mainly through word of mouth, but a more extensive marketing campaign is just underway. The agency is located in the Department on Aging building next to Trig's in Rhinelander. They have a website adrcofthenorthwoods. org